Tensioning sheet material

ABSTRACT

An assembly for tensioning sheet material such as pvc, canvas and other textiles for advertising banners and other signage includes a frame with a channel which has a narrow opening. The sheet material is located in the channel and is held by means of a strip having feet or other formations which engage under the narrow opening to anchor the sheet material.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the tensioning of sheet material such as PVC,canvas and other textiles for forming banners, signage, vehicle graphicsand the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Many methods of tensioning sheet material have been proposed, some ofwhich have employed rivets for attachment to a frame, while another hasutilised rods in a peripheral hem of the sheet material for insertioninto a complemental channel in the frame.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a very simplearrangement which is easy to use and which results in a firm anchor aswell as an excellent aesthetic appearance.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention an assembly for the tensioning of sheetmaterial in a frame includes a channel in the frame adapted to receivethe sheet material and a flexible strip having formations which are aforce-fit into the channel to hold the sheet material therein and which,on release expand against the sheet material for a positive anchorage.

In a preferred form of the invention the channel has an opening which isnarrower than the channel and the strip has feet which engage under theopening when released from the step of force-fitting into the channel.

The strip may be made from a suitable polymeric material and whichincludes a portion insertable into the channel of the frame and a topportion which has a surface which is aesthetically chosen for theparticular article involved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a strip for use in the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a portion of a channel for a frame;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an alternative shape of frame;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view thereof;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a further alternative shape of frame;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view thereof;

and

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a corner of a frame in assembled state.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 3 illustrates a simple form of frame 10 which comprises a channelwith overhang 12 thereby constituting a narrow opening 14. FIGS. 5 and 7are alternative shapes, each having an extension such as the arm 16 ofFIG. 5 or the box section 18 of FIG. 7.

The strip 20—see FIGS. 1 and 2 is an extrusion of polymeric materialwhich has a resilient zone 22 with feet 24. The width of the feetexceeds the width of the opening of the channel.

The sheet material is located over the frame and the strip isforce-fitted into the channel to capture the sheet material 21 betweenthe zone 22 and the channel. It may be necessary to use a mallet toeffect the force-fit of the zone 22 into the channel. Once into thechannel the zone 22 relaxes and engages the sheet material in thechannel below the edges of the narrow opening thereof—see FIG. 9.

The top surface 30 of the strip may be plain or patterned to suit therequirements. In FIG. 9 it is slightly curved in cross-section and hidesthe channel from view.

1. An assembly for the tensioning of sheet material in a frame having achannel adapted to receive the sheet material characterised in that aflexible strip is provided which includes one or more formations whichare a force-fitted into the channel to hold the sheet material therein,and which on release from the step of force-fitting expands against thesheet material for a positive anchorage.
 2. The assembly according toclaim 1 characterised in that the channel has an opening which isnarrower than the channel and the strip has feet which engage under theopening when released from the force-fitting step into the channel. 3.The assembly according to claim 1 characterised in that the strip has afirst portion insertable into the channel of the frame and a top portionwith has a surface which may be aesthetically chosen for a particulararticle involved.